Month: November 2025

There are some fascinating philosophical divides in Music Education. And we don’t discuss them enough. What does “inclusive” music education really look like?

Shane Colqohoun is an instrumental music educator who possesses a rare super power. He can recognize areas where he both agrees AND disagrees with the philosophies of others, and is not scared off by the conversation. His social media presence really challenges us to rethink our approach, just as he does in this episode.

In this lively, back and forth discussion, Shane and I compare notes on our philosophies of music education, exploring the importance of inclusivity, bridging gaps between student interests and school programs, and even the role of music notation. We emphasize the need for innovative approaches to teaching music appreciation and the significance of creating spaces where all students feel valued. The discussion also touches on the barriers to expanding music education and the necessity of adapting teaching methods to meet diverse student needs.

🎧 Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!

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Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Shane Colquhoun, PhD., is a music educator, producer, and mentor dedicated to helping students discover their creative voice. An Assistant Professor of Music Technology and Contemporary Music Styles at Alabama State University, he blends traditional music education with modern approaches that highlight student creativity and innovation. He has years of experience as a successful band director, guiding ensembles to excellence while fostering inclusive, student-centered spaces. He has published in the Journal of General Music Education (formerly General Music Today) and the Media Journal in Music Education, and is the author of The Producers of Pop: A Comprehensive Plan for Studying Popular Music Producers. He also serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Music, Technology & Education. Dr. Colquhoun is Chair of NAfME’s Council for Innovation, Research Chair for the Alabama Music Educators Association, and a Board Member for the Association of Popular Music Education.

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Young teachers bailing from the classroom within the first 5 years is an epidemic. Many things contribute to this, but one factor is the expectations young teachers bring in. Are they always realistic?

Mitch is a young conductor and teacher who believes, in his own words, “that he sucks dog-water” at teaching. So, two years into a new career as a music educator, he stepped out of the classroom. He made a post on FB recently that got my conversation. He graciously agreed to vulnerable here for me and the Choralosophy audience.

In this conversation, Mitch and I discuss the challenges faced by choir directors, particularly the feelings of inadequacy and the struggles with classroom management and student engagement. Then explore Mitch’s personal experiences in teaching, the expectations placed on music educators, and the importance of structuring effective rehearsals. The discussion also delves into communication strategies for giving concise directions and enhancing vocal warmups, ultimately emphasizing the shared struggles of educators in the field.

🎧 Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!

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Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Mitch Al-Ubaidi is a musician and educator based in south-central Wisconsin. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Mitch has always had a passion for music, spanning from guitar, piano, and choral music to music production and DJ-ing. His vocal experience includes singing with university and professional choirs, and he currently serves as director and founding member of the Rock River Singers. Previously, Mitch taught middle school choir for two years and has also served as the Bass Clef Chair for the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association (WCDA). His work reflects a lifelong commitment to making and sharing music in a variety of forms and styles.

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Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

@choralosophypodca

    

“We need to go beyond compliance in evaluations.” How many teachers experience administration in their classroom for the purpose of understanding their day to day, rather than to check a box? Justin Baeder advocates a different approach.

“Tradition often hinders innovation in education.” Teacher evaluations not only create unproductive incentives, but rarely result in meaningful, content specific feedback.

Justin Baeder is the CEO of “The Principal Center” and is an active education communicator. You can find his newest venture on Substack at The Teaching Show.

In this conversation, Justin Baeder and I discuss various aspects of educational leadership, focusing on the importance of classroom walkthroughs, the need for meaningful teacher evaluations, and the challenges posed by tradition in education. We explore the role of trust between teachers and administrators, the impact of COVID-19 on classroom dynamics, and the necessity of effective discipline policies. Additionally, they delve into innovative approaches to music education, emphasizing the significance of treating music as a language and developing new pedagogical methods to support all students.

🎧 Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!

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Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Justin Baeder, PhD is Director of The Principal Center, where he helps senior leaders in K-12 organizations build capacity for instructional leadership. A former principal in Seattle Public Schools, he is creator of the Instructional Leadership Challenge, which has helped more than 10,000 school leaders in 50 countries around the world:

• Confidently get into classrooms every day
• Have feedback conversations that change teacher practice
• Discover their best opportunities for school improvement

Dr. Baeder is the author of Now We’re Talking! 21 Days to High-Performance Instructional Leadership, and the co-author, with Heather Bell-Williams, of Mapping Professional Practice: How to Develop Instructional Frameworks to Support Teacher Growth (Solution Tree).

He is the host of Principal Center Radio, a podcast featuring education thought leaders, and the founder of Repertoire, the professional writing app for instructional leaders.

He holds a PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Washington and an MEd in Curriculum & Instruction from Seattle University, and is a graduate of the Danforth Program for Educational Leadership at UW

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Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

@choralosophypodca

    

Hey I didn’t say it… But some think it. We are Better Conversation Activists here. And this episode is a CALL TO ACTION! I want to hear from you about what topics you want next in year 7!

In this episode, we call for YOU to be more vocal in the platform’s discussion, and discuss the concept of conversation activism, emphasizing its importance in the music education profession. The conversation explores the need for better communication norms among colleagues, the role of music education in teaching conflict resolution, and the challenges posed by social media in fostering meaningful dialogue. I discuss the need for a culture of curiosity and understanding, encouraging you to fill out the form on the MAIN PAGE and suggest an episode topic!

🎧 Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!

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Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and Facebook

View this profile on Instagram

Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos

@choralosophypodca